Kyljillään

Kyljillään is an Estonian word that translates to "on its side" or "lying on its side." It is a common adverbial phrase used to describe the position or orientation of an object or person. For instance, a fallen tree might be described as being "kyljillään" on the ground, or a person sleeping could be "kyljillään" in bed.

The phrase is formed by the word "kylki," meaning "side" or "flank," and the suffix "-llään," which is an adessive case ending indicating location. This grammatical structure emphasizes that something is situated *upon* its side. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or plan that has failed or is not progressing as intended, implying it has "fallen on its side."

In everyday Estonian conversation, "kyljillään" is frequently used. For example, if someone asks how a car is parked, and it is tilted, one might reply "seisoo kyljillään." Similarly, if a boat is not upright in the water, it is described as "kyljillään." The simplicity and directness of the phrase make it a practical descriptor for a variety of states of being.